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Harvard researchers develop potential animal-testing alternative

Scientists with Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have reportedly developed microchips lined with human cells— so-called “organs-on-chips”—that could mimic functions of living organs, such as the lung, heart and intestine, and allow the rapid toxicity, safety and efficacy assessment of cosmetics, chemicals or new drug candidates. They suggest that the technology, involving a clear flexible polymer about the size of a computer memory stick containing hollow microfluidic channels lined by living human cells, could reduce science’s reliance on animal testing. The institute team is focusing on building 15 different human organs-on-chips that will be linked to allow whole-body physiology testing. See ABC News, June 3, 2014.